Last summer the manager of one of the UK’s leading rose nurseries told me that buyers want easy to grow, disease free roses with good fragrance that bloom continuously or at least repeat bloom at short intervals. This statement was to explain their policy of dropping the older varieties in favour of the modern ones. Is it just modern roses that fall into this exacting category? I would argue that a number of the older roses are easy to grow, resistant to disease and delight with fragrant blooms from June to late autumn. Of course, there are older varieties that do not fit the bill and there are miserable, spot ridden modern roses that disappoint.
Today’s rose is one that ticks most of the boxes – ‘Madame Laurette Messimy.’ A China rose of huge charm and elegance. Her semi double blooms are not always the tidiest, but this is part of her charm. Highly variable in the colour ranging from pale pink through to bright salmon flushed with yellow, coral, and peach. Her poor point is the fragrance, elusive describes it best. Some days nothing and then she surprises with a soft light perfume. To make amends for the lack of perfume she gives a lot of bloom and just keeps going. On the first day of 2022 in the current exceptionally mild weather she has blooms and buds. Chilly weather will slow her down, but it is rare not to find a bloom or two. Not a great fan of the rain though. In June she was in full bloom and looked magnificent. Then the monsoon rain arrived, and she buckled under the weight of sodden petals. Honestly, she looked like a drunken wedding guest surrounded by damp confetti. Happily, she revived with a bit of sun and warmth.
Airy in her growth habit with dark plum stems which are almost thornless, just the odd prickle. Very healthy, as are all the Chinas. Aphids might appear but not a spot of fungal disease. Tall for a China, she is around 1.20m here in Suffolk and the same width. Would prefer for you not to approach with the secateurs, just leave her alone unless she is encroaching onto another favoured plant. Hardy USDA zones 7b-10b. Widely available.
‘Madame Laurette Messimy’ has two Tea parents, the seed parent Rival de Paestum and the glorious Madame Falcot the pollen parent. Bred by Jean-Baptiste André Guillot and introduced in 1887.
Who was the real Madame Messimy? Born Laurette Marie Anne Girodon in 1845, she married the notary Paul Charles Léon Messimy. I can find little information about her but her eldest son led an interesting life. Adolphe Messimy initially was a military officer, then a journalist and politician. He served as Minister of War in 1912 and again in 1914. He resigned early in WWI and returned to the army as an officer. A brave soldier, promoted to General by 1917 and awarded the Croix de Guerre. Said to be one of the many lovers of Mati Hari during her spying career.
I feel Madame Laurette Messimy is a stellar rose and well worth growing. She is a plant and stand back rose with little or no maintenance, ideal for busy (or lazy) gardeners.
Originally published 1st January 2022 on my Facebook blog Rose of the Day.
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